什麼是影展? 「影展」,或稱「電影節」,英文是「film festival」,顧名思義就是一場電影的慶典或嘉年華,沒有太多令人混淆的空間。但是更深入一點來看,英文中對於「film festival」的定義有: A film festival is – “A festival of short and/or feature-length films shown over the course of between a few days to a few weeks. Festivals are places for films and filmmakers, particularly in the case of independent films, to gain exposure and critical buzz and, in many cases, distribution. Perhaps the two best-known festivals in the world are Sundance and Cannes.” (http://www.screenwriting.info/glossary.php) “A cinematic festival that features films (usually films produced during the past year)” (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/film+festival) “The presentation or showcasing of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues. The films are usually of a recent date and, depending upon the focus of the individual festival, can include major international releases as well as those made outside a country’s established film industry. Sometimes there is a focus on a specific genre (e.g. film noir) or subject (e.g. gay and lesbian film festivals). Film Festivals are typically annual events.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_festival) 從上麵三個對影展的解釋與定義看來,「影展」並不是單純「放電影」這麼簡單。幾個關鍵詞包括: 1.以日期來看:「between a few days to a few weeks」、「annual events」 影展既然是一個「展演活動」或是「節慶」,錶示它不是一般性的,而是在一段特定日期中發生的、非經常性的活動;而且通常是週期性的,每年一次或兩年一次的活動。 2.以地點來說:「in one or more movie theaters or screening venues」 影展活動通常是在一個或同是在多個專業的戲院或放映廳舉辦,即使是營造特殊氛圍的放映例如「蚊子電影院」、「露天電影院」,也通常是使用專業的放映機或投影機進行放映。 3.以放映內容來論:「independent films」、「usually films produced during the past year」、「the films are usually of a recent date」 影展通常不會放映一般的「院線片」(theatrical release),也就是製作和宣傳規模都比較大的影片,尤其是好萊塢商業片,反而比較傾嚮讓一些比較難被看見的「獨立製片」電影有曝光的平颱,甚至進而讓這些獨立製片獲得發行的機會;同時,它通常是閤乎時效與潮流的,影展放映的影片多數(以特定議題為焦點的影展除外)是近一、二年,新近完成的電影。也就是說,影展是以新的、不同於一般戲院的電影為主要內容的放映活動。